Envelope with light-transmitting window and tear strip

ABSTRACT

An envelope having a light-transmitting window therein, the envelope being formed from a cut and scored blank with the window superimposed thereon and adhered thereto, the blank having opposed side and end flaps folded over the window and adhered thereto. The side flaps are folded along curved fold lines, so that when they are adhered to the window, the latter is raised from the central panel to permit the envelope contents to be readily accommodated therein. The window has a tear strip extending beyond one end thereof, the tear strip terminating in a pull tab which is folded to a position to be engaged, the end flap closure thereat being notched to uncover the pull tab.

O United States Patent rm 3,593,912

[72] Inventors Peter C. Collura 2,878,985 3/1959 Rossum 1. 229/87 F X Stamford, Conn.; 2,965,283 12/1960 Dunning 229/87 F William P. Pintsak, Pottstown, Pa. 3,298,506 1/1967 Reiner et al. 206/4533 [21] Appl. No. 867,569 3,403,840 10/1968 Maries 229/85 X [22] Filed Oct. 20, 1969 3,409,445 1 1/1968 Hall 206/4534 X [45] Patented July 20, 1971 [73] Assignee Container Corporation of America pmfmry Lficlalr Chicago I- Asszstant BxammerSteven E. Lrpman [54] ENVELOPE WITH LIGHT-TRANSMITTING 45.33, 45.34, 56 AA, 63.2 R, 78 R, DIG. 16, DIG. 32; 229/51 TS, 68 R, 71, 75, 85, 87 F, DIG. 3:DlG.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,387,784 8/1921 Levaur 229/71 Au0rneyCarpenter, Ostis & Lindberg folded to a position to be engaged, the end flap closure thereat being notched to uncover the pull tab.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION LField of the Invention This invention relates to an envelope formed of a central panel having a light-transmitting window superimposed thereon, the window being joined preferably to the central panel along inturned flaps adhered to the central panel. Side flaps and end flaps complete the envelope, and the side flaps are foldably connected to the central panel along curved fold lines, so that when they are folded over the light transmitting window, the curved folds and the inturned folds an extra volume will be provided in the envelope, the central panel being curved by reason of the curved fold lines.

2.The Prior Art Envelopes or containers having light-transmitting windows together with tear strips are by no means new, and Farrel et al.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,158,491; Hall, U.S. Pat. No. 3,409,445; Lakso, U.S. Pat. No. 2,760,630 and Specs, U.S. Pat. No. 2,991,000 are examples ofenvelope-style containers having tear strips in the light-transmitting windows thereof. However, none of these patents teaches an arrangement including a central panel having a light-transmitting window superimposed thereover, spacing of the window from the central panel being achieved by side flaps foldably secured to the central panel along curved fold lines, the latter causing the central panel to bow slightly to provide an increased volume in the envelope.

SUMMARY DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an envelope having a lighttransmitting window and tear strip constructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a cut-and-scored blank forming part of the envelope seen in FIG. 11;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a cut-and-scored blank having the light-transmitting window placed thereon and adhered thereto prior to the completion of the envelope;

FIG. 4 is a plan view similar to FIG. 3 showing one of the steps of constructing the envelope as seen in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows another step in the formation thereof; and

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the completed envelope with the tear strip partially removed from the light-transmitting window thereof.

The improved envelope according to the present invention is referred to by the reference numeral 10, and is formed from a cut-and-scored blank 10A seen in FIG. 2 and a light-transmitting panel 103 superimposed thereon as seen in FIG. 3. The cut and scored blank 10A includes a central panel 111, having opposed side flaps l2 foldably connected thereto along curved fold lines 13. Opposed end flaps l4 and B6 are each connected to an end of the central panel II along opposed straight fold lines 17.

The lighttransmitting panel 10B is preferably provided with turned under flaps 118 these beingsecured to the face of'the central panel KI seen in FIG. 2 along laterally spaced glue lines GL. Panel MB is provided with a tear strip 19 of a conventional kind, the tear strip preferably being flanked on each side by lines of perforation 21 to facilitate the removal of the tear strip 19, and the opening of the light-transmitting panel 108. The light-transmitting panel 103 is preferably made from a strip of cellulose acetate or the like, and is cut into discrete lengths 10B, and each such lcn th is formed with a notch 23 at one end thereof which is comrfiementary to a tab 22 which is formed in the panel 103 by the cutting of the strip into such discrete lengths.

As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the side flaps 12 are folded in position and adhered to the sides of the panel 108, an article of commerce being first placed between a light-transmitting panel 108 and the central panel 11. By reason of the fact that the score lines 13 are curved and by reason of the fact that the light-transmitting panel 108 has the inturned flaps 18, the latter is raised from contact with the central panel 11 to provide space. in the envelope 10 for the article of commerce.

The end flap 16 is provided with a notch 24 so that when the same is folded into position and superimposed and adhered to the light-transmitting panel 103, the tab 22 will be folded down into position as seen in FIG. 5, so that it, together with the tear strip 19, may be readily grasped between thumb and forefinger by one opening the envelope.

The opposite end of the envelope is closed in a conventional fashion with the end flap 14, it being adhered to the side flaps 12 and the window [0B in a conventional fashion.

We claim:

1. An envelope having a light-transmitting panel therein for the display of merchandise comprising:

a. a cut and scored blank of paperboard or the like includi. a central panel,

ii. opposed side flaps foldably connected to said central panel along a first pair of fold lines,

iii. opposed end flaps foldably connected to said central panel along a second pair of fold lines.

b. a light-transmitting panel substantially coextensive in area with said central panel and secured with respect to said central panel along side edges thereof;

c. said light-transmitting panel having a tear strip extending lengthwise thereof;

d. said side flaps being folded over said light-transmitting panel and adhered thereto;

e. one of said end flaps being folded over said lighttransmitting panel and adhered thereto;

f. The second of said end flaps being folded over said lighttransmitting panel and adhered thereto and being constructed and arranged to expose an end of said tear strip.

2. An envelope according to claim 1 wherein the fold lines connecting said side flaps to said central panel are curved so that upon adherence of said side flaps to said light-transmitting panel the central panel is bowed to increase the storage volume of said envelope.

3. An envelope according to claim 1 wherein the engageable end of said tear strip includes a tab extending from an end of said light-transmitting panel.

4. An envelope according to claim 3 wherein said second end flap has a cutout portion to expose said tab for engagement. 

1. An envelope having a light-transmitting panel therein for the display of merchandise comprising: a. a cut and scored blank of paperboard or the like including: i. a central panel, ii. opposed side flaps foldably connected to said central panel along a first pair of fold lines, iii. opposed end flaps foldably connected to said central panel along a second pair of fold lines. b. a light-transmitting panel substantially coextensive in area with said central panel and secured with respect to said central panel along side edges thereof; c. said light-transmitting panel having a tear strip extending lengthwise thereof; d. said side flaps being folded over said light-transmitting panel and adhered thereto; e. one of said end flaps being folded over said lighttransmitting panel and adhered thereto; f. The second of said end flaps being folded over said lighttransmitting panel and adhered thereto and being constructed and arranged to expose an end of said tear strip.
 2. An envelope according to claim 1 wherein the fold lines connecting said side flaps to said central panel are curved so that upon adherence of said side flaps to said light-transmitting panel the central panel is bowed to increase the storage volume of said envelope.
 3. An envelope according to claim 1 wherein the engageable end of said tear strip includes a tab extending from an end of said light-transmitting panel.
 4. An envelope according to claim 3 wherein said second end flap has a cutout portion to expose said tab for engagement. 